A nurse on a postpartum unit is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients is the nurse’s priority?

This is because the client has hypothyroidism, which means their thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that can replace the missing hormone and normalize the TSH level. The client’s TSH level is 8.9 mIU/L, which is above the normal range of 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L. This indicates that the client’s current dosage of levothyroxine is insufficient and needs to be increased.

Choice A is wrong because thyroid ablation therapy is a treatment for hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.

Thyroid ablation therapy involves destroying part or all of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine or surgery, which reduces the production of thyroid hormone.

This would worsen the client’s condition and symptoms.

Choice C is wrong because lovastatin is a statin drug that lowers cholesterol levels. Hypothyroidism can cause high cholesterol levels, but this is usually corrected by levothyroxine therapy. Replacing lovastatin with cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestrant that also lowers cholesterol levels, would not address the underlying cause of hypothyroidism and would not improve the client’s TSH level.

Choice D is wrong because restricting the intake of iodized salt would not help the client with hypothyroidism. Iodine is an essential element for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, but most people in developed countries get enough iodine from their diet.

Hypothyroidism is usually caused by autoimmune disease, not iodine deficiency.

This instruction helps the client to establish a baseline of their bladder function and identify their voiding patterns. It also helps the nurse to design an individualized bladder-training program for the client.

Choice B is wrong because drinking 4 liters of fluid between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. is excessive and can increase the frequency and urgency of urination. The client should drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and constipation, but avoid drinking large amounts at one time or before bedtime.

Choice C is wrong because voiding every 2 hours while awake is not a bladder- training technique, but a scheduled toilet trip. Bladder training requires following a fixed voiding schedule and delaying urination after feeling the urge to go. Voiding every 2 hours may not allow the bladder to fill sufficiently and may interfere with the goal of increasing the bladder capacity.

Choice D is wrong because eliminating caffeine from the diet is not a specific instruction for bladder training, but a general lifestyle strategy to ease bladder problems. Caffeine can irritate the bladder and act as a diuretic, which can increase urine production and frequency.

However, eliminating caffeine alone may not be enough to improve urinary incontinence.